Juan Reyes

Juan Isidro Reyes, 68, passed on Sunday, November 27, 2016, peacefully in his home in Manor, Texas from natural causes. He was born to Ruperto Reyes, Sr. and Dominga Urive Reyes in Taylor, Texas on April 4, 1948. He was raised in Manor, Texas and after graduating High School, volunteered for the US Army, serving his Country in Vietnam. Upon his return, he enrolled at The University of Texas where he was the first in his family to graduate from college. His example was followed by six of his siblings.

His various jobs took him through the University of Texas as an assistant to the original director of the Mexican American Studies Department, the IRS and finally to the United States Postal Service, North Austin Station, Austin, Texas, where he served his entire postal carrier. It was there that he became known as the “Good Juan” as he regularly brought treats to his coworkers. He retired in 2010.

He grew up in Manor on the “rancho” with his grandparents, Seberiano and Carmen Reyes, after the death of his mother. As the oldest sibling in the family, he became known as both the swimming instructor and life guard of the swimming “big tank” on the “rancho”. It was in this stock pond that he taught not only his own brothers to swim but countless others from the town. And it was here that he rescued quite a few young swimmers unaware of the deep areas of the pond.

It was with this heart that he walked through life. He taught those who came into his life to breathe, keep your chin up and keep moving forward. His guiding hands continued in his service at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Manor where he attended Mass the night before he was called home.

He is preceded in death by both his parents, Ruperto, Sr. and Dominga Reyes; brother, Louis Reyes; and step-mother, Jesusa M. Reyes.

He leaves behind five brothers, Miguel, Ruperto, Jr., Joe, Stevan, and Pablo Reyes; two sisters, Maria Rocha and Dominga Portillo and their husbands, Darrell and EJ, and many nieces and nephews and close friends.

The family will receive guests at the Elgin Funeral Home from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM with a Vigil for Holy Rosary at 7:00 PM Wednesday, November 30th.

Father Greg McLaughlin Officiating